Naim NSC-222 Streaming Preamp

Slim design also meets audiophile quality:

NAIM NSC 222

The NSC 222 is a high end streaming preamplifier that keeps things simple without compromising on musical quality. Its new design, engineered and manufactured in the UK, offers a variety of music and radio streaming possibilities as well as vinyl and headphone support - plus a full analogue preamplifier. Combined with the new NAP 250 power amplifier, it creates the ultimate 'just add speaker' pairing.

features

• 1.5W Class A/AB discrete transistor headphone amplifier. Runs in Class A/Class AB for higher peak power. Headphone connection via 1/4" jack
• Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n/ac) diversity antennas in the heatsink (patent GB2524815B) and wired Ethernet port
• Tactile buttons on the front for quick access to standby, play/pause, inputs and favorites
• Class A output amplifier with balanced impedance for long and normal length cable runs via XLR
• Second pair of outputs via RCA for bi-amping (power amplifier required) or subwoofer connection.

Additional functions

• Statement volume control architecture with reed relay. Premium sound quality fixed resistance volume control that enables precise channel balance. This miniaturized version of the Statement volume control uses an extremely smooth fly-by-wire optical encoder with precision ball bearings.
• reed relay input circuit
• Single-ended Class A discrete transistor input buffers and filter circuits; with hand-soldered polystyrene capacitors.
• Built-in high-quality MM phono stage
• 5.5-inch color display
• Configurable inputs: Preset input sensitivity, naming, AV bypass mode and disabling unused inputs.
• Uses Naim's latest NP800 streaming card with LVDS balanced digital signals for low noise. Streaming from internet radio stations, music from Spotify Connect, Apple Music, Tidal (and Tidal Connect), Qobuz, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, UPnP servers, USB storage devices and Roon ready.
• Adaptive aptX Bluetooth
• Continuous app control from Mu-so to
  up to the Classic series.
• Multiroom capability with other Naim streaming
  products (up to the Classic series and the 500 series).
• Bidirectional ZigBee RF remote control, no line of sight
• Volume changes are displayed on the remote control.
• Dual 3.5mm optical communication between products for synchronized standby and lighting, compatible with the new NAP250 power amplifier.
• Two fixed frequency master clocks (44.1 kHz and 48 kHz based on sample rates) for ultra-low jitter. Runs in clock master mode for streaming services.
• DSP RAM buffer for SP/DIF inputs, eliminates jitter caused by SP/DIF modulation (4x SP/DIF inputs). - Naim's proprietary DSP 705.6kHz/768kHz integer oversampling filter.
• PCM1791A-DAC (in external filter mode), followed by
  discrete transistor operational amplifiers and Class A filters. Custom ultra-low dielectric absorption polystyrene filter components after the DAC.
• PSU upgrade with NPX 300 via two Burndy cables (one digital and one analog).
• 0.5 W standby power
• Using two internal power supplies; one is a high quality audiophile linear type based on a large toroidal transformer. The other is a high efficiency SMPSU for 0.5W power consumption in standby mode.
• Galvanic isolation of the control and audio circuits.

Technical data

• Type : Preamplifier
• Audio Inputs 1 x Moving Magnet Phono1 x 8-pin DIN cable (compatible with 5-pin DIN cables)1 x RCA stereo pairLine Level Inputs (RCA/DIN): Impedance 47k, 2.2V typical, 7.5Vrms maximum - 8-pin DIN cable has +/-18V for compatible external phono stages such as Solstice NVC-TT. Compatible with 5-pin DINMM Phono: 47k/470pF, 5mV, 23dB overload (75mV max)
• Audio outputs Analog 1 x XLR pair (Stereo XLR balanced impedance 7Vrms max) - 1 x RCA pair (Stereo RCA 7Vrms max)1 x 6.35mm headphone jack (Headphone 1.5W in 16)
• USB2 x USB Type A socket (front and rear - 1.6 A charging power)
• Digital inputs 2 x optical TOSLINK (up to 24bit/96kHz)1 x coaxial RCA (up to 24bit/192kHz, DoP 64Fs) - 1 x coaxial BNC (up to 24bit 192kHz, DoP 64Fs)
• Audio formatsWAV - up to 32bit/384kHzFLAC and AIFF - up to 24bit/384HzALAC (Apple Lossless) - up to 24bit/384Hz - MP3 - up to 48kHz, 320kbit (16 bit)AAC - up to 48kHz, 320kbit (16 bit)OGG and WMA - up to 48kHz (16 bit) DSD - 64 and 128FsM4A - up to 48kHz, 320kbit (16 bit)Gapless playback supported in all formats
• Analogue amplification preamplifier at maximum volume 15.5 dB (with maximum volume and maximum volume limit at 100%) Phono stage MM 40 dB
• Digital level 2.1V at 0dBFS Volume at 0dB
• Frequency response MM: -3dB at 10Hz, RIAA +/-0.1dB Line: 3Hz to 40kHz -3dB Digital: 3Hz to 27kHz -3dB
• Signal to noise ratio MM 80dB ref 5mV A-wtd volume at 0dBLine 104dB ref 2.2V A-wtd volume at 0dBDigital 102dB ref 0dBFS A-wtd volume at 0dB
• Distortion MM: < Noise floorLine: 0.0025% @2.2V input volume at 0dB, 1kHz(Line: 0.015% @2.2V input volume at 0dB, 20kHz) - Digital: 0.0035% @0dBFS volume at 0dB, 1kHz
• Crosstalk MM: 90dB at 1kHz, volume at 0dB Line: 90dB at 1kHz, volume at 0dB(Line: 70dB at 20kHz, volume at 0dB)Digital: 90dB at 1kHz, volume at 0dB
• ControlApp control (iOS and Android), bi-directional ZigBee remote control and front panel
• Optical 3.5 mm output for synchronized control of compatible products, e.g. NAP 250/350
• NetworkEthernet (10/100Mbps), Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n/ac)
• Typical consumption during operation 25W
• Consumption in network standby mode <2W
• Standby consumption <0.5W
• Mains connection 115V or 230V, 50/60Hz 3
• Dimensions 5/8x17x121/2' (9.15x43.2x31.75cm)
• Weight 24.25lbs (11kg)